diff --git a/src/twn_loop.c b/src/twn_loop.c
index de0369b..c959d73 100644
--- a/src/twn_loop.c
+++ b/src/twn_loop.c
@@ -757,7 +757,7 @@ int enter_loop(int argc, char **argv) {
 
         /* force release mode */
         if (SDL_strncmp(argv[i], "--release", sizeof "--release" - 1) == 0) {
-            force_release = false;
+            force_release = true;
             continue;
         }
     }